title: Laboratory testing for systemic rheumatic diseases.
abstract: A number of tests are available for diagnosis and follow-up evaluation of systemic rheumatic diseases. How accurate are they and when should they be used? Dr Ward discusses the specificity, sensitivity, and predictive values of various tests and explains which are most helpful for specific situations.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Section, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, California, USA.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor